Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.  Proverbs 13:12

Thursday, June 19, 2008

The End of a School Year and A New Home

I always have bittersweet feelings about the end of a school year. I am relieved to have time to breathe and catch up on all the paperwork. Time to leave the building a little early to finally make it to the bank on time or even step out to lunch. But the halls of a school building without children are dreary. There is no laughter, no winking, no little faces showing up at my door to ask if I have time to hear them read. There are no high-fives and children singing in unison in the music room that is right below my office. My job is a gift and every day I am grateful to work with and try to make a difference in children's lives. So, for the last few weeks, I have tried to soak up all the laughter and smiles and cheer and focus completely on the kids.

I also have the distinct privilege of working with a most incredible staff of caring individuals. I have the good fortune to work with teachers who have devoted themselves to the love of learning. Never has this been more evident than it was on the last day of school this year. We had an unusual full day for our last day and it also happened to be field day. Our field day is a wonderfully planned team building activity day that showcases every child's strength and silliness. It is paired with our music teacher's iPod selections on speakers bigger than my first apartment followed by the annual faculty/staff vs. 6th grade kickball game.

You may think that teachers who spend the year dedicated to the betterment of children and the teaching of state-mandated curricula would be absolutely spent by the last day of school. Not at my school. Teachers followed their classes around laughing and sharing in the fun. Some participated in the events, others shared their pride in each student's growth this year. When I'd stop to talk with a teacher or his/her students, I observed the depth of the relationships that had been built throughout the year. From the kindergarten teacher to the art teacher to the ESOL teacher--all interacted with their students as if they were at a family picnic. That's the joy of my school--it is much like one big family. There were serious teachers tossing ice cubes at one another, primary teachers leading the Macarena, and 6th graders jumping in to dance the Cotton Eyed Joe. Parent volunteers kept the day's flow with each station and provided snow cones and water, and students and teachers enjoyed the day with smiles that were less about the last day of school and more about school pride. It was truly a day to behold. And, it had me thinking about the kinds of people I want my child(ren) to be around. I hope for educators like those I work with to be the foundation for my family's education.

Also, much has been going on on the sidelines. First, I bought a new house and sold my town home. I moved in about a week. Packed, transported, and tossed every box into the new place in just six days. I thought I'd take a day for rest but, with my need to keep busy, I found myself unpacking, organizing, and moving furniture in forty different scenarios-in each room! I decided focusing on the yard and the garden (yet to be created) was a better use of my time, saving the indoors for rainy days this summer when I have some time off. A form of procrastination? Perhaps.

Finally, I went to the HS graduation of some former students last weekend. Below is a photo of two of my former fourth graders--twins--and future babysitters of my little peanut. How fun to see so many of my past students move into this new place in their lives. So much for them to look forward to, explore and experience. I couldn't believe how teary-eyed I got watching them walk across the stage.


All this to say...I am officially #16 on the list and still #5 on the sibling list. The news came last Tuesday but other things have had my attention. In this waiting game, it is nice to lose track of the numbers sometimes. I intend to plan many little projects around the new house to keep me busy in the July weeks when I am not working. I'm going to need it--especially because retail therapy is sooooo easy!

In closing, I'll share a wonderful colloquialism that I was reminded of today at a memorial service I attended for a friend's mother. It seems to go with endings and a reminder of new beginnings. Pastor Little said, "Just because your eyes are closed, doesn't mean you're asleep; and just because you say goodbye doesn't mean you're gone." Definitely something to think about.
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1 comment:

The Gresham Clan said...

Sounds like you have a wonderful school full of love, laughter and learning. What a privilege for you and the children. I hope you have a wonderful summer vacation!

Kristin

June 21, 2008 at 4:40 PM

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So...what's next?

Below is an overview of an Ethiopian adoption process from the time my agency receives adoptive parents' completed dossier and home study.

Agency Sends Dossier for Authentication and Translation Check!
Agency will forward adoptive parents’ dossier to the U.S. State Department and the Ethiopian Embassy for authentication. Once processed, the agency will forward the dossier to our staff in Ethiopia where it is translated
Referral Process Check!
Once the dossier is in Ethiopia, adoptive parents can wait six to eight months for a referral of a child. Once referred, the agency will send the adoptive parents referral photos, medical information and the child’s background information, including any known family history. Upon acceptance of referral, the agency's foreign staff will submit adoptive parents’ dossier, with the referred child’s documentation to the Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MOWA).
Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MOWA) Reviews Documentation Check!
MOWA is the branch of the Ethiopian government that reviews all documentation submitted by the adoptive parents and on behalf of the referred child recommends the adoption to be finalized to the Federal Court of Addis Ababa.
Federal Court Date November 11, 2008 Check!
Once MOWA recommends the adoption to be finalized, a court appointment is scheduled. At this appointment, the judge can either finalize the adoption or ask for further documentation and set another court date. Once the adoption is finalized, the court decree, new birth certificate and passport are issued, and the adoptive parents can travel.
Travel December 6, 2008 - December 11, 2008
Adoptive parents should be ready to travel within two to four months after accepting a referral. One parent is required to travel and the in-country stay in Ethiopia is five to seven days. During this time, adoptive parents will complete the U.S. Embassy Immigration appointment for the adopted child, which is necessary to bring the child to the United States. The agency's in-country staff will accompany each family throughout their entire stay in Ethiopia.
Post-Adoption- Until the child turns 18 years old In Process
In Ethiopia, an adoption is finalized before entrance into the United States. Upon arrival, post-adoption reports are due at three, six, and 12 months on the anniversary of the U.S. Embassy appointment date. After the first year, family authored self reports are due every year until the child reaches 18 years of age.